46th annual DCMF: July 19-21, 2024!
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Safer Spaces

We are so excited to launch some new initiatives to support a safer festival experience for all!

We are asking you to help us by:

  • Prioritizing safety and care in how you act as an individual and within your group while at our events and engaging in DCMF related digital spaces
  • Letting any of our team know if you witness anyone or are yourself struggling to do this
  • Reporting anything that ought to be addressed or could be improved upon to us  by using the Community Feedback Form
  • Checking out the resources below if you feel you need to brush up on your personal skills around consent, harm reduction, and wellness.

Things we value:

Self expression, creativity, spirited celebrations, a relaxed environment, the right  to feel safe and free from harm, professionalism, care, respect.

Things that we commit to addressing:

Ableism, ageism, cultural appropriation*, racism, or discrimination; assault or violence; fatphobia, gender discrimination, homophobia, sexism, sexual harassment or transphobia; unsolicited and inappropriate sexual attention or touching; or any other behaviour or language that may perpetuate violence, oppression or discrimination. 

*DCMF asks non-Indigenous attendees to refrain from wearing appropriative Indigenous-inspired headdresses or other attire resembling Indigenous cultural regalia at DCMF events. To that end, any costume or outfit that perpetuates racism or harmful stereotypes is not permitted. DCMF treats this conversation with great sensitivity and hopes that our patrons will engage with this requirement in a meaningful way.

If you have questions about this (or any aspect of our Code of Conduct) or would like to run a costume idea by us, please email us at conduct@dcmf.com or use the Community Feedback form.

You can read the full Code of Conduct here.
All patrons, volunteers, artists and staff of DCMF are expected to adhere to the Code of Conduct.

To get support

During the festival:

  • For emergencies call 911
  • For non-emergencies, such as harm reduction supplies or something safety related please speak to any venue team lead or look for the team in bright orange!

After the festival, or off season

Helpful words to know

Consent is an ongoing and active process of agreement around activities we are and are not comfortable with. Consent is not just important in sexual contexts. It is also important when giving a hug, taking someone’s photo, or hanging out with a friend. Consent should always be enthusiastic, voluntary, freely given and done without pressure or coercion.

Music festival examples: Asking someone before standing super close to them to see your favorite band. Getting permission before taking a picture of someone with a really fabulous festival outfit.

Power-based violence

Power-based personal violence is a form of violence in which someone uses power, control or intimidation in order to harm another. This can include  partner violence, sexual assault, stalking, and other uses of force, threat, intimidation, or harassment. It can  also include the use of alcohol or drugs to commit any of these acts. These acts can be committed by strangers, friends, acquaintances, spouses / partners and other persons(Source: Kent State University).

Music festival example: Following someone around the event, especially after they have told you they are not interested.

Microagressions

Microaggressions are the everyday verbal, nonverbal, and environmental slights, snubs, or insults, whether intentional or unintentional, which communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative messages to target persons based solely upon their marginalized group membership (Source: Derald Wing Sue, Ph.D.).

Music festival example: Making a comment when watching a band of women that they “play pretty good for girls.”

Harm reduction

Harm reduction, simply put, is  a collection of  individual and community actions that help make things that are risky (such as consuming alcohol and drugs, or having sex) safer for the people involved. These actions may include access to safer sex and safer substance use supplies, take home Naloxone and/or substance use information. 

Music festival example: Wearing earplugs to help protect your hearing while enjoying live amplified music. 

Please see the full glossary here (content warning for descriptions of violence)